Member of Parliament for Hemang Lower Denkyira, Lawrence Agyinsam, has called for stronger Parliament oversight of State Interest Institutions, arguing that effective scrutiny should reinforce performance without undermining the independence of public entities.
Speaking at a capacity building workshop for Parliament's Committee on Public Administration and State Interest, Agyinsam said oversight and operational autonomy should not be viewed as competing objectives.
"I have called on Parliament to strengthen its oversight of State Interest Institutions while respecting their operational independence," he said, adding that "accountability and performance must go hand in hand."
Building Parliamentary Capacity
The workshop, held under the theme Managing State Interest Institutions: Performance, Accountability and the Role of Parliamentary Oversight, brought together committee members to examine how State Interest Institutions are governed and monitored.
Agyinsam, who co moderated the event alongside Hon. Nana Asafo Adjei Ayeh, noted that parliamentary committees remain central to ensuring that public institutions fulfil their mandates without political interference.
"I emphasised that parliamentary committees have a critical role to play in ensuring that SIIs deliver on their mandates without undue interference," he stated.
SIGA Highlights Performance Measurement
Director General of the State Interests and Governance Authority, Prof. Michael Kpessa Whyte, outlined the mechanisms used to assess the effectiveness of State Interest Institutions.
He pointed to Key Performance Indicators, performance contracts and corporate governance frameworks as practical tools for measuring service delivery, financial performance and operational efficiency.
The discussions also extended beyond governance structures. Dr. Nancy Myles of the University of Ghana stressed the value of ethical leadership and strategic communication, saying both are essential for strengthening public confidence in state owned institutions.
Hon. Agyinsam described the workshop as an important investment in Parliament's oversight function.
"I believe this training is an important step towards enhancing Parliament's capacity to effectively monitor SIIs and ensure that they remain responsive to Ghana's national development goals." - Hon. Agyinsam
The workshop forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability across Ghana's State Interest Institutions while improving governance standards and public sector performance.
READ ALSO: Gold Fields Invests US$110m to Support Tarkwa Community
